PRAUGE, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis met here on Tuesday Zoran Zaev, prime minister of North Macedonia, and discussed North Macedonia's accession to the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

They also discussed issues of migration, defense, and economic cooperation, according to a press release issued by the government.

The two have met several times this year to discuss North Macedonia's accession to the EU.

Babis said he strongly believed talks would begin in the coming year.

"I am positive that this must be done in March," he said, adding "North Macedonia has fulfilled everything the European Council and the European Commission have demanded, especially the entire reform process, an agreement to change the name of the country. Now it is up to the (European) Union to live up to its words."

North Macedonia has been a candidate for EU accession for 15 years, said Zaev, "Please don't demotivate us. It may lead to further nationalism and radicalism in the Balkans. We really don't need that either in the Balkans or in Europe," he warned.

Accession talks between North Macedonia and the EU were expected for Oct. 15 of this year but were suddenly cancelled, which Zaev called a "historic mistake."

As for North Macedonia's accession to the NATO, a decision has been ratified by most member states.